Method for removal of particulate matter

Abstract

An improved process for removal of particulate matter having airborne potential. The process includes applying a foam to the particulate matter in a particulate matter area to prevent the particulate matter from becoming airborne. The particulate matter area may then be removed, prior to the foam draining, and encased in a storage device.

1. A process for removing particulate matter from a building structure, said building structure having floors, walls and ceilings with particulate matter contained therein, comprising the steps of:
 applying foam to a portion of said building structure having particulate matter therein to thoroughly isolate said particulate matter in said portion with said foam, said foam being chemically non-reactive with said particulate matter; 
 removing said particulate matter from said portion of said building structure while said foam remains flowable and maintains isolation of said particulate matter; 
 moving said foam-isolated particulate matter which has been removed toward a container while maintaining isolation of said particulate matter only by the presence of said foam on said particulate matter; 
 placing said foam-isolated particulate matter which has been removed into a container; and 
 sealing said container so as to continue isolation of said foam-isolated particulate matter, wherein neither a baffle nor a vacuum is necessary to prevent said particulate matter from becoming airborne during removal. 
 
   
   
     2. The process of removing particulate matter of  claim 1  wherein said foam has a pH of at least 5 to no more than 9. 
   
   
     3. The process of removing particulate matter of  claim 1  wherein said foam is thixotropic. 
   
   
     4. The process of  claim 1  wherein said particulate matter is mold. 
   
   
     5. The process of removing particulate matter of  claim 1  wherein said portion is a subsection of said building structure having particulate matter. 
   
   
     6. The process of removing particulate matter of  claim 1  wherein said foam is formed from precursor and an expansion gas. 
   
   
     7. The process of removing particulate matter of  claim 6  wherein said expansion gas is air. 
   
   
     8. The process of removing particulate matter of  claim 6  wherein said foam precursor has a surface tension of less than 30 dynes/cm.